Wedding Photography - Questions Please Help!

[creativechaos]

A good friend of mine is getting married on Saturday and can't afford an actual wedding photographer so she asked me if I'd take some pictures. I'm pretty handy with a camera, but this is a HUGE deal. I don't want to make mistakes or take bad pictures of her wedding.

It's a very casual wedding setting, the guys are wearing khaki shorts and button down shirts and the girls are wearing sun dresses, so it's not going to be a major formal event. I know I want to get the typical photos, walking down the aisle, wedding kiss, exchange of rings, etc and it's going to be by the lake so I want to do some wedding party shots down on the rocks, but what else can I do? Any ideas would be great. These two are definitely not the formal, constrained or restricted kind of people, so ideas are more than welcome.

Also, the wedding is outdoors at 3pm, so I know I have to be careful not to shoot into the sun (although I do want one after shot of them silhouetted by the sun as they're walking away holding hands.) But what other kinds of things do I need to watch out for?

Bear in mind, I can't change lenses on my camera (FujiFilm FinePix S700) it's not a professional camera by far, but it's the best camera I have access to. Everyone else has the little point & shoot cameras.

I really want to make something special for them since they're rushing to get married because this is the only time the Army gave my friend off and he's deploying to Afghanistan in November. They had other plans, but when the Army says "You get Date to Date off" there's only so much you can do.

[RexK_Cozumel]

see if you can rent a dSLR and lens and perhaps a hotshoe flash for fill. If not then be sure to prefocus and anticipate when something if about to happen so that you can be ready to shoot before it happens. Otherwise the lag will cause you to miss the shot completely.

[creativechaos]

LOL I have a 2 and a half year old and have learned to anticipate! I lost many shots early on because I wasn't focusing until it was too danged late. Thanks for reminding me of that though! I know it's something I really need to watch out for.

Unfortunately, I have no spare cash to spare otherwise I would try to rent a dSLR. (Someday *drools* someday! LOL) My camera does have manual settings, however, with as hectic as the day is going to be I figured I'd end up using Program AE instead of full on manual. Some control will be better than full auto I think.

I've done parties and stuff before, but nothing of this caliber and I'm uber nervous about it!

[kencaleno]

Just be aware that you could lose your friend-A bride's wedding day, is the most exciting,and most important day of her life-and if you don't get it right,you will never be forgiven. regards, Ken

[RBailey]

Get a list of all the shots they want, ie.
- what groups,
B&G + His Parents
B&G + Her Parents
B + Bridemaids
G + Best Man / Ushers
B&G + School mates
- when in the service
Entrance
Ring change
Speeches
First Dance
etc.
etc.,

Helps be sure they get at least most of the shots they want and gives you something to work with.

Cheers,
Richard B.

[emtab]

hmmm, this is kind of a tough one, I agree with RBailey that you should get a list of the shots that they want and make sure you work with them to get them. Key to this process will be expectation management and planning. The camera you have will be up to the task as long as you plan well, and take the time to get the shots right. As far as expectation management, as long as the couple are aware of the realities of not getting a pro, and that you will be doing your best to capture their day you will be fine.
As far as pose ideas, it sounds like it will be quite informal so look for shot opportunities that are fun and informal as well. Even the traditional wedding pose shots can done in a relaxed and informal way.
And lastly, carry spare batteries and memory cards.

good luck, post us a shot.
emtab

[creativechaos]

Yes, it's going to be quite informal and they're planning a huge "wedding" in a few years. They'll be renewing their vows and having the huge princess dream wedding then. (So by then I'll have way more experience and a better camera! YAY! I hope anyway! LOL)

For now, they weren't even too worried about getting a lot of pictures, but I'd like to get some really great shots because they ARE getting married and the hubby's getting deployed in November. So, whatever I get will be more than they had originally expected.

I guess my biggest concern is it being outside and on the lakefront. I'm seriously worried about light bouncing off the lake and boats (the outlook structure is actually stuck out in the lake and has a bunch of boat slips off to the left side of it.) And especially worried about getting the boat's masts and parts in the shot (especially sticking out of people's heads! EEEK! LOL)

I'm going to talk to them on Friday when we do the rehearsal about what pics they really want and a few ideas that I have for some more "artsy" kind of pics.

I'm lucky with my camera using double a batteries. LOL I can have an unlimited supply of batteries on hand and I have several 2 gig cards for my camera that are always in my case. I've been trying to dig around and find a UV filter lens for my camera (46mm I believe) but I'm having hard time locating one around here.

[bethard728]

I'm no professional but can you get to the wedding site with a helper around 3:00 on a day before the wedding? Maybe do some practice shots with your "helper" to see how your camera reacts to the light bouncing off the lake.

[fletch]

Enlist one of the male wedding attendants (we call them Ushers in the UK) to be you cheif people organiser. It helps if this person knows or a least recognises all of the guests by name. Give him your list of formal shots, it is his job to ensure that everyone is rounded up and waiting for their shot before you need to shoot them.

[creativechaos]

I'm no professional but can you get to the wedding site with a helper around 3:00 on a day before the wedding? Maybe do some practice shots with your "helper" to see how your camera reacts to the light bouncing off the lake.

I can!! And that's a great idea! I didn't think of that at all!!! My boyfriend is the best man at the wedding and has Friday off for the rehearsal (which is earlier in the day than 3,) but I can drag him and our son down there for some fun shots of daddy and son! Thanks! Great idea!

Enlist one of the male wedding attendants (we call them Ushers in the UK) to be you cheif people organiser. It helps if this person knows or a least recognises all of the guests by name. Give him your list of formal shots, it is his job to ensure that everyone is rounded up and waiting for their shot before you need to shoot them.

I'm pretty sure my boyfriend, the best man, will know everyone. He's been friends with the bride since preschool and the groom since third grade!!! LOL I'll have to enlist him to round everyone up for me.

I know the bride also asked her aunt to take pictures as well and I was planning on talking with her Friday at the rehearsal about who wanted to do what and what kind of shots she was planning on taking. She's no professional either and I don't know what kind of camera she has, so I figured talking to her would help out with the end results.

I was also thinking about having my laptop on hand that way I could upload photos between the wedding and reception (hopefully still at the lake) so I could see what other shots might be missing or what turned out badly, etc. Is that a good idea?